Nominations for #GCITweetUp17 are open

Check your social media feeds. Remember the tweets, posts and videos that made you pause. It's time to celebrate the industry’s best social media performances – again.

Nominations for the Super Social Media Awards presented by GCI and Aquatrols are open from Monday, Nov. 28 to Saturday, Dec. 31. Winners of the awards, which recognize individuals and organizations who do the best job of using social media to communicate about programs, practices and the industry at large, will be honored during the sixth annual TweetUp at 3 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 8 at Aquatrols Booth #2559 at the 2017 Golf Industry Show in Orlando. The event, which will include a happy hour with beverages and live music beginning at 2 p.m., can be followed by using #GCITweetUp17 on Twitter.

Industry professionals will be honored in five categories: Best Overall Use of Social Media, Best Twitter Feed, Best Blog, Best Use of Video and John Kaminski Award for Leadership in Social Media. No more than two recipients will be selected in each category. Winners will be announced in January and recipients will receive their awards at #GCITweetUp17.

“Effective use of social media is helping thousands of superintendents and others in our business better perform their jobs and clearly communicate important messages to stakeholders and colleagues,” GCI publisher Pat Jones said. “It’s an honor to celebrate this form of communication for a sixth straight year and hopefully the work of our past and future award winners inspires even more superintendents to explore the benefits of using social media.”

Judging will be conducted by the GCI editorial staff and a panel of industry experts and educators. Readers are encouraged to nominate others or nominate themselves. Multiple nominations in the same or different categories are acceptable. Please include the category and appropriate links to associate editor Guy Cipriano at gcipriano@gie.net or @GCIMagazineGuy. Email, tweet or call Cipriano at 216-393-0230 with questions.

Bill Brown joins AQUA-AID team

AQUA-AID has announced that William Brown, CGCS, has joined their team as director of brand development.

"AQUA-AID has grown dramatically in both the size and complexity of our business portfolio around the world over the past few years,” said Sam Green, chief operating officer. “As our brand has grown, so has the need for strong communication and education for our end users and distributors. We are very fortunate to be able to bring an industry leader like Bill Brown onboard. His experience as both a professional turf manager and technology expert in our industry will allow us to further develop our brands through digital and social media platforms.”

Many in the industry know Brown as the founder of Turf Republic, which he began four years ago to expand the use of technology among turf professionals, promote innovation and create an online community to share research and practical ideas around the world. Prior to that, Brown was golf course superintendent at Hartefeld National Golf Club and worked at other clubs in Pennsylvania. He’s also served in multiple chapter and GCSAA volunteer leadership roles. He earned his degree in turfgrass management from Penn State. Brown will continue to work from his home in Kennett Square, Pa.

“This is a remarkable opportunity with a company that’s growing, evolving and innovating,” Brown said. He added that the Turf Republic team will continue on even though he’s stepping away from day-to-day operations: “It was always meant to be bigger than the founding members and the amazing group of professionals that make up Turf Republic will continue to empower and inspire our community.”

Green said that the need to deliver information instantly made Brown a perfect choice for the company. “We live in a fast-paced world where end users want information and answers quickly from their smart devices,” Green said. “Our diverse portfolio, which includes AQUA-AID wetting agents, Verde-Cal calcium and potassium products, Worm Power Turf, Campey Imants equipment, and Vredo seeders, allows us to be involved in all aspects of agronomic programs over a broad spectrum of the turf and landscape industry. It’s vital we communicate quickly and clearly to provide turf managers with common sense solutions so Bill will have a busy and vibrant role on our team."

Brown can now be contacted at 484-889-1548 or bbrown@aquaaid.com.

Turf Max hires Frank Heery

Experienced superintendent will be responsible for building sales team.

Heery, who will be responsible for building the sales team, has more than 20 years of experience in the field of agronomy and golf course maintenance. He most recently worked as the superintendent at Overbrook Golf Club in Villanova, Pa. He also has served as director of agronomy at The Club at Mediterra in Naples, Fla., and superintendent at Westmoreland (Ill.) Country and Denver (Colo.) Country Club.

Heery graduated from Delaware Valley University with a bachelor of science in agronomy and environmental science. He mentored under Paul R. Latshaw at Congressional Country Club and is well-versed in various agronomic needs of multiple regions.

“We are extremely excited to have Frank join our team and are excited to introduce him to our distribution partners and customers around the country,” Turf Max President Scott May said. “Frank brings a tremendous amount of knowledge and credibility, in addition to his diverse agronomic background. Frank is a key building block for our future plans in the industry.”

GT AirInject launches redesigned website

AirInject Inc., developers of the Air2G2 and Air2HP aerifier machines, recently launched a newly redesigned website to reflect the needs of its growing customer base. The website is a resource for industry professionals that is designed to connect customers with distributors. It also showcases the research that has gone into developing these state-of-the-art machines that increase drainage and reduce compaction with no turf disturbance. The new home of GT AirInject features a database of news stories and scientific test results, and has been optimized to reflect the company’s commitment to efficiency, ease-of-use, and research-driven results. The new website is now live at www.air2g2.com. The website features videos and images of the machines in action, and explains how air injection technology benefits turfgrass growth.

“The Air2G2 and its newest counterpart, the Air2HP, are cutting-edge machines with benefits proven by independent studies,” said Glen Black, president of GT AirInject. “Our website is a new face for our company, and a resource to help our clients learn how injection aeration can improve the quality of their turf without disturbing their day-to-day operations.”

The site was developed by What’s Your Avocado? Marketing and Public Relations based in Mount Vernon, Wash.

BASF announces pair of personnel moves

BASF has announced that Cozette Hadley Rosburg has assumed the role of strategic account manager for SiteOne, Primera Turf, BWI and Ewing Irrigation effective Oct. 1, 2016 and Nate Mezera has assumed the role of sales representative for turf and ornamentals in the Midwest effective Nov. 1, 2016.

Cozette was formerly the sales representative for turf and ornamentals in the Northern Midwest. She joined BASF through the acquisition of Becker Underwood in 2012 and has been in the turf and ornamentals industry for 29 years. Cozette replaces Wally Boilek, who is retiring on Dec. 31, 2016.

Mezera previously held a similar role as sales representative for the BASF Urban, Rural and Termite control segment in Louisiana and southeastern Texas for BASF. Mezera has been with BASF since 2014 and in the turf and ornamentals industry for seven years.